Work Visas: 9(g) Pre-Arranged Employee Commercial Visa

Work Visas: 9(g) Pre-Arranged Employee Commercial Visa

The 9(g) or Pre-Arranged Employee Visa Commercial is the most common type of work visa availed by foreign nationals engaged in gainful employment in the Philippines. This visa entitles the holder multiple entries and exits into and out of the country while working with a company registered or licensed to do business and existing under Philippine laws. With the 9g visa, the foreigner is entitled to legitimately work and stay in the country for a duration approved by the Bureau of Immigration, which should correspond with his employment contract.

A requisite to this visa is the Alien Employment Permit (AEP), issued by the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE).

The whole visa processing (including the AEP) usually takes 2 – 3 months to process. The AEP alone takes 2 – 3 weeks to process in the Labor Department upon submission of the complete documentary requirements. While waiting for the approval of the 9g visa, the applicant who wishes to stay in the country even with an AEP, should continuously update his immigration status by extending his tourist visa. An important point to remember is that we can only start the processing of the AEP application when the employer-company has already secured its local/city business permit.

If the foreign employee is required to start working immediately even while the the visa is in process, a Provisional Work Permit (PWP) can be an alternative option. The PWP is a document, which authorizes the foreigner to start working even while the AEP or 9g visa is still in process. It can be filed as soon as the AEP application is filed and can be obtained after 2 weeks.

We can facilitate your 9g visa non-commercial application, inclusive of the services below:

9(g) Visa Service Commercial Package

Tax Identification Number (TIN) application with the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR)

Alien Employment Permit (AEP) application with the Department of Labor and Employment

Additionally, holders of 9g commercial visa who are promoted to a higher position in the same company are exempted by the Bureau of Immigration from downgrading to a 9a visitor visa and applying for another 9g visa, pursuant to Board Resolution No. EED-15-01. This resolution is only effective provided that foreign nationals:

apply for a new Alien Employment Permit (AEP) corresponding to the new position;

apply for the extension of their 9g visas along with their new AEPs; and

provide the Bureau of Immigration with a certified copy of their new AEPs.

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Disclaimer: Immigration laws in the Philippines may change without prior notice. New updates on eligibility for visa application, documentary requirements, processing timelines, length of validity of visa, and other information related to your visa application may arise any time. We recommend that you consult with our Immigration and Visa Specialists to stay up-to-date.